Deadly Class D districts

It's a quality district when there's not only more than one team that could be favored to win, but whichever of them is fortunate enough to get out of the district has a good chance to keep winning in the state tournament.

Here are the most dangerous districts for the Class D tournament, which begins Monday, March 4. All semifinals are Wednesday, March 6; finals Friday, March 8.

AthensThe defacto district final is Monday, with the
Climax-Scotts vs. Mendon rematch. Mendon has just two losses and
Climax-Scotts just one -- but it came last week to Mendon, 51-50. The
Panthers -- led by the Siena Heights-bound pair of 6-7 forwards Aaron
Cook and Malachi Satterlee -- have unfinished business at Breslin after
last year's championship game blowout. It all starts with this tough
one. Win or lose, this season is the beginning of good things for Mendon, which plays just one senior, Andy Brueck.

BellaireIf Bellaire gets past Gaylord St. Mary in the first round, it has Boyne Falls waiting in the semifinals. Bellaire handed Boyne Falls its only loss of the season, 54-37 back in December. The Loggers started slow and could never catch back up in that one, a lethargy that shouldn't be a concern in March. For Bellaire it's business as usual, undefeated as the machine rolls on under veteran coach Stan Sexton. This group isn't as talented as we've come to expect from the Eagles, but is strong defensively. They'll have to slow down Boyne Falls' Marcus Matelski, a 6-2 freshman scoring 25 a game.